RESTORING WATER TO OUR CANAL is a fundraising drive launched to help restore water levels to a section of the Grantham Canal between Hickling and Kinoulton.
After extremely low levels were recorded over the past year, Janet Friend reports.
This focuses on improving water flow from the Smite Feeder, which supplies the stretch of the canal upstream of Hickling.
The feeder itself has already been cleared, but dense reeds and vegetation have built up within the canal, slowing the flow and absorbing significant amounts of water. To address the problem, a four metre wide channel is being cleared along the centre of the canal from the Smite Feeder.
Increase water flow
This will increase water flow and create clearer conditions for fish, birds, dragonflies and other aquatic life.
A specialist contractor has been approved to carry out the work using a long-reach excavator. Reeds will be pulled from the middle of the canal and placed along the bank, allowing insects and invertebrates to return safely to the water. The need for action follows what Grantham Canal Society describe as extremely low water levels observed this year.
With summers becoming drier and hotter, there are concerns that conditions could worsen without intervention.